Article Comments - 2010 Kia Soul First Drive and Full Test

70 messages, Last post on Jul 10, 2009 at 2:34 PM

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What is this discussion about? Kia Soul, Future Vehicle, Coupe, Hatchback

2010 Kia Soul First Drive - First Impressions: Finally and quite fittingly, a Kia with some soul. (more)

2010 Kia Soul Full Test and Video - Bottom Line: Fashion sense is everything in a funky hatchback and the Soul has it. But we're more attracted to this box's driving dynamics, which are among the best in this class. (more)

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#29 of 70 I can't believe how much I like the Soul....I want one! by igozoomzoom Mar 15, 2009 (12:16 pm)
I'm shocked that I'm even seriously considering buying a Soul, but I'm very impressed with it. The exterior look is fantastic, decent quality materials on the inside. There are just a few details that need some tweaking (and perhaps reason to hold off until the 2011 models arrive....or a 2010.5 perhaps)? The naming scheme is stupid- Base, Plus (+), Exclaim (!) and Sport? They could've at least used punctuation marks for all four trim levels just to be consistent! Better yet, is the LX/EX/SX nomenclature used on other Kias so bad? Furthermore, does four trim levels even make sense? The Sport interior is a bit over-the-top with the blood RED everywhere! My '06 Mazda3 has a black interior with a tasteful, sporty red/black checked seat pattern and it looks great. The piping on the floormats and logo stitching is also red, but the dashboard isn't covered in RED plastic....Kia, take a note- LESS is more! The mandatory "Soul" logo fabric on the Plus (+) model is also a bit much. I haven't seen the Exclaim (!)'s tan houndstooth fabric in person yet, so I'll reserve judgement....but it seems very out of place on this particular vehicle. And if you insist on the houndstooth motif, perhaps have a grey option in addition to the tan? The base model appears to have the most reserved and tasteful interior of all- Basic Black. If I were to buy a Soul, it would be the Exclaim (!) with automatic. The availability of exterior colors is also a bit annoying- Molten is my favorite, but I'd settle for Clear White....neither is available on that trim level. Dune is hideous- it reminds me of the beige tone that was last seen on the '89 Ford Tempo! Java (Brown) could be interesting, but Titanium is the safe choice. I also noticed the lack of a blue hue- a bright Electic Blue or even a Gunmetal Blue-Gray would be awesome! So basically, my gripe is about interior and exterior colors...with one exception! A 4-speed automatic? You're at least one gear short in both transmissions. It's a problem throughout most of the Kia/Hyundai models- the Optima is the only 4-cylinder Kia with a 5-speed automatic, at present. Fix it ASAP! I'll be hanging out waiting for the 5-speed automatic (and the Sport without the garish interior trim or the Exclaim (!) with more exterior hues available). Overall, it's a very impressive package.
#30 of 70 Re: Drove one today, Already own an 08 Scion xB [so_cali] by jyym Mar 18, 2009 (9:27 am)
Replying to: so_cali (Mar 05, 2009 6:05 pm) The Soul eventually will get a 6 spd AT and nav (I still don't the preoccupation w/ manufacturer-based nav systems). The Soul will also likely get direct-injection and the stop-idle system. For those who don't need a new car now, I'd wait. Replies to this message: joem5 (Apr 02, 2009 8:09 am)
#31 of 70 Re: Drove one today, Already own an 08 Scion xB [cruzdreamer] by jyym Mar 18, 2009 (9:29 am)
Replying to: cruzdreamer (Mar 06, 2009 7:47 am) Another option to look at is the "new" Elantra Touring - which is basically the European i30 which is based on the award-winning Kia Cee'd. Replies to this message: moontom (Mar 18, 2009 10:53 am)
#32 of 70 Re: Drove one today, Already own an 08 Scion xB [jyym] by moontom Mar 18, 2009 (10:53 am)
Replying to: jyym (Mar 18, 2009 9:29 am) I drove the Soul and Elantra Touring recently....wanted to like the Elantra but the Soul had many advantages...it was quieter on the highway, much more spacious inside, better sound system, and much better view of the road. I'm wondering, jyym, when you think the US will get the 6sp AT? also wondering how much of a risk it is jumping into a first-year vehicle made by Kia. am I destined to be a test case/canary in the coalmine? I was pretty set on the xB until driving the Soul, and did find things I liked better on the Kia...ride smoothness which is a big deal for my wife seems about the same on both. thanks in advance for any/all insights! tm
#33 of 70 Market Adjustment by theking Mar 19, 2009 (9:26 am)
Went to my local Kia dealer......$1500 market adjustment on Soul..told salesman ADMU ?? No he said "Market adjustment..this is a hot car" ! The idiot did not realize that ADMU and market adjustment is the same thing. I remember when 2001 PT Cruisers were selling $4000 over MSRP. No car is worth MSRP..let alone ADMU ! Replies to this message: cruzdreamer (Mar 19, 2009 9:44 am)
#34 of 70 Re: Market Adjustment [theking] by cruzdreamer Mar 19, 2009 (9:44 am)
Replying to: theking (Mar 19, 2009 9:26 am) They always say that about new models. Given the state of the economy and the car market...no one should be paying retail...I would walk out the door...someone else will sell one to you for much less and close to invoice. It's a Kia...not a real sought after make. I'd say to the salesman...Good luck selling cars... bye!
#35 of 70 Wow now I want a Nissan Qazana by so_cali Mar 23, 2009 (12:58 am)
They dealer in Escondido offered it at invoice the first time I went in but now I want a Nissan Qazana! They have to bring it to the USA! It's SOOOO awesome!
#36 of 70 Re: Drove one today, Already own an 08 Scion xB [jyym] by joem5 Apr 02, 2009 (8:09 am)
Replying to: jyym (Mar 18, 2009 9:27 am) How do you know? It looks lke a tuner for me.If it had a six peed tiptonc or a regular manual 6 peed .I consider it.Direct Injecition is a mustand chage ut the power steeringw/electric. Best to wait awhile. :
#37 of 70 Re: Now this baby's got some Soul... [iluvmysephia1] by rockymtnhi Apr 03, 2009 (11:37 am)
Replying to: iluvmysephia1 (Jan 11, 2009 8:46 am) How would you tune it?
#38 of 70 6 speed automatic and Nav by jaxs1 Apr 05, 2009 (3:36 pm)
Someone added a rumor to this board saying they believed a 6 speed automatic and factory nav would be coming to the Soul someday sometime in the future. The six speed adding a few more mpg as well as a quieter highway ride would make this really attractive a I would even think about getting one. Crash test results are also extra important in smaller cars, so I need to see how that turns out. Factory nav in vehicles in this cheap price class isn't really important, but it would be clever if they designed a cubby (with a door to hide contents within so you don't need keep moving the device to store it out of view of thieves) in the dash to mount and charge a portable nav. With a charging port and aux input for audio to the car speakers, it should probably only add $150 or less instead of $1500+ to the price. Kia: Do this.